Law enforcement agencies in Ames, Iowa reportedly arrested 26 followers of jam band Phish [ tickets ] near a concert at Iowa State University's Hilton Coliseum on Friday night and Saturday morning (10/1-10/2). Most of the arrested fans face drug possession charges.

Story County deputies, Ames police and Iowa State campus police nabbed the Phish fans outside the venue for using marijuana, LSD and hashish, according to local news reports. There were no reports of trouble inside the venue, and the concert itself was not affected.

Law enforcement officials were surprised by the prevalence of drug use surrounding the event, Iowa State Daily reported.

''We certainly anticipated making arrests,'' Jerry Stewart, the school's law enforcement director, told the newspaper. ''Any time a large group of people is gathered at an event such as this, some arrests usually occur. We checked with previous sites who have hosted Phish, and there were no severe problems there. We did not anticipate severe problems, either.''

Phish last played Ames in 1996, and 17 drug-related arrests were reportedly made in connection with that show.

Ames Police Chief Dennis Ballantine reportedly said he would ask Iowa State University to ban Phish from the venue.

''If they never come back, it will be too soon,'' he told the Associated Press.

However, the venue's manager said he wouldn't make a decision on whether or not he will invite the band back until he can fully assess the incidents.

Indeed, venue managers generally consider Phish's followers -- who have often been compared to those of the Grateful Dead -- a trouble-free crowd. The band has a track record of performing at huge gatherings without incident -- including multi-day events with on-site camping.

Phish is currently wrapping up a month-long fall tour. In December, the band will play concerts in 10 cities.

Phish will end 1999 with a two-day festival on the grounds of the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation in Florida.